KIDLINGTON gave runaway leaders Taunton Town a big fright before two goals in the last ten minutes saw them fall to a cruel 3-2 defeat.

The Oxfordshire visitors, putting recent poor performances behind them, led for long periods of the Evo-Stik South League West Division match and threatened to halt the hosts’ promotion party.

But in the end, they had nothing to show for their efforts, as Taunton celebrated going up.

Manager Julian McCalmon made a host of changes but the key one involved a switch of system with four and sometimes five players in midfield.

And they got off to a dream start as Lewis Gabbidon put them ahead with with a great strike

after just seven minutes.

It was a lead they held until the break, as keeper Sam Warrell made a couple of outstanding saves to keep the Peacocks well and truly penned in.

However it took only two minutes of the second half to undo the previous 45 minutes of good work as Taunton’s Matt Wright took advantage of some sloppy defensive play to level.

But the Greens, spurred on by skipper Gabbidon, silenced the big home following by regaining the lead ten minutes later.

James Organ nodded in at the far post from Mark Bell’s corner in the 57th minute as the visitors sensed an upset.

They looked likely to extend their lead as the introduction of Darius Browne caused all sorts of problems for the home defence.

A last-gasp clearance denied Mark Janes as his shot bobbled along the goalline, while Browne’s attempted lob went just over the bar.

These missed chances came back to haunt them as Taunton equalised through Ollie Chamberlain ten minutes from time.

Kidlington suffered a body blow five minutes later when they conceded an unnecessary corner, from which Craig Veal head home to send the home fans crazy and leave the Greens distraught.

Kidlington: Warrell, Quainton, E.Odhiambo, Organ, Whitehead, Gabbidon, Benjamin (Williams 61), Osborne-Ricketts, Martin, Janes (A.Odhiambo 77), McDonagh, Bell (Browne 61). Sub not used: Franklin.

Attendance: 555.

l HEAVY rain disrupted Saturday’s league programme.

Banbury United’s Premier Division game at Frome was called off, along with North Leigh’s trip to Barnstaple in the West Division and Thame United’s match at home to Arlesey Town in the East.